Coastal Storms and Hurricanes

General Hurricane Information

 Hurricanes are cyclones over water while tornadoes are cyclones over land. 

Hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30 each year. September is the highest probability month of the season. There is an average of 10 named storms per season according to the National Hurricane Center. A storm gets named as it reaches tropical storm status. Residents and visitors to the area should learn the elevation of where they are in relation to sea level and the storm surge history of the area. Storm surge is a dome-like rise in the ocean level associated with the hurricane. 

Meteorologists classify hurricanes by categories of 1-5 using a scale that measures the wind and speed of the storm. A Tropical Depression has a highest wind speed of 38 miles per hour (33 knots), with some rotary circulation and one or more closed isobars. A Tropical Storm has distinct rotary circulation with wind speeds of 39- 73 miles per hour (34-63 knots), closed isobars and a pressure of 14.0 pounds per square foot. A Hurricane has strong and very pronounced rotary circulation, closed isobars, a pressure of 17 or more pounds per square foot and winds of 74 miles per hour (64 knots) and higher. The devastating class 5 hurricane exceeds wind speed of 156 miles per hour.

The Forecasted 2008 Atlantic Season

The NOAA's projected climate conditions point to a near normal or above normal hurricane season in the Atlantic Basin this year.

(Image courtesy of NOAA)

The Climate Prediction Center outlook calls for considerable activity with a 65 percent probability of an above normal season and a 25 percent probability of a near normal season. This means there is a 90 percent chance of a near or above normal season.

The climate patterns expected during this year’s hurricane season have in past seasons produced a wide range of activity and have been associated with both near-normal and above-normal seasons. For 2008, the outlook indicates:

• 60 to 70 percent chance of 12 to 16 named storms
• 6 to 9 hurricanes
• 2 to 5 major hurricanes (Category 3, 4 or 5 on the Saffir-Simpson Scale).

An average season has 11 named storms, including six hurricanes for which two reach major status. Most of the 2008 activity is expected to take place during August through October, the peak months of the Atlantic hurricane season.

2008 Tropical Cyclone Names (Atlantic)

The Forecasted 2007 Atlantic Season

NOAA experts predict an above average Atlantic basin tropical cyclone season for 2007 and anticipate an      above-average probability of United States major hurricane landfall. The 2007 forecast includes:
 

• 17 Named Tropical Storms.
• 9 Hurricanes
• 5 Major Hurricanes, with winds of at least 111 mph.
  

The probability for at least one major (category 3-4-5) Hurricane landfall on each of the following Coastal Areas:

• Entire U.S. coastline - 64% (average for last century is 74%
• U.S. East Coast including Peninsula Florida - 50% (average for last century is 31%)
• Gulf Coast from the Florida Panhandle westward to Brownsville - 49% (average for last century is 30%)
• Above-average major hurricane landfall risk in the Caribbean

2007 Tropical Cyclone Names (Atlantic)

The 2006 Atlantic Season predictions, updates, and actual storms (Obs.)

For more information:
Florida Hurricane Info
NOAA
FEMA
Center for Disease Control - CDC